R3: Rescue for River Runners Episode 2

Episode 2 of Rescue for River Runners is released!

Rescue for River Runners is a series of educational videos in swiftwater rescue.  This video series is the product of Five2Nine productions, the ACA and several other supporting partners.  The ACA is excited about this new resource!  Stay tuned for new episodes at www.americancanoe.org/R3 or the ACA YouTube Channel!

Camp Cup Challenge

In the 90’s, Kent Ford (ACA Instructor Trainer Educator & Alzar School Advisory Committee member) started the Camp Cup Challenge as a way to bring together the many camps of western North Carolina. Sometime around 2001, the event fizzled, but the Alzar School was keen to bring it back to life in 2008, arranging a day of slalom and downriver races for almost 90 young paddlers. Then, in 2009, the Camp Cup became a two-day event, with guest coaches training campers in the gates and in Nantahala Falls of the Nantahala River on the first day. That year, 112 kids participated. The growth continued in 2010 and 2011, with more than 140 young paddlers converging at the Nantahala for two more great events.

The Alzar School is organizing the Camp Cup again for 2013. Would you like to involve your camp? Send them an email at info@alzarschool.com. 


To learn more about this great event visit www.americancanoe.org/campcup

USGS partners with ACA in Texas

Photo Courtesy of ACA Instructor Trainer Patti Carothers

18 members of the USGS Houston & Austin offices received flatwater and river kayak instruction from IT Patti Carothers of SouthWest PaddleSports and instructor Jeanette Hood of Mountain Sports in Arlington. The men and women had never had paddling instruction before, although a few of them owned kayaks and many of them used kayaks in their work. The instruction was held over three days and the positive response was overwhelming. One of the attendees is an MOCC (Motorboat Operator Certification Course) trainer and he was highly complimentary of the river instruction. The training was a pilot program and is now being recommended to other offices who use kayaks to check their river gages. For more information, contact Patti Carothers at patti@paddlesports.com. 

USGS - a valued ACA Partner

Empowering Youth

In late May, the ACA partnered with Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission, the Charleston County School District, the Baptist Hill Community Education Program, and Half-Moon Outfitters to provide an Outdoor Nation Paddle Nation Project to a group of middle school students from rural Charleston County. 

Entitled "Empowering Youth--Learn, Paddle, Serve," this 2-day program combined stewardship lessons with on-water paddling instruction to educate future generations of paddlers and river advocates.

See pictures from this great trip or read our program report here! 

 

Meet Your ACA Staff

An after work paddle on the local Rappahannock River


Everyday, the National Office Staff works on behalf of ACA members and paddlers across the country. Whether you like class V rapids, a peaceful float on a nearby watertrail, or your local surf break, the ACA Staff work for you!



Learn more about your ACA Staff...

Rachel - Membership Coordinator

Candy - Insurance Coordinator



Cireena - Office Manager



Cate - Stewardship Coordinator

Eli - Paddlesport Training Grant Coordinator 

Kesley - SEI Coordinator

Trey - Education & Outreach Coordinator

Chris - Chief Operating Officer

Wade - Executive Director

Please don't hesitate to Contact Us if you have any questions.

ACA Jobs!

A rewarding career with the ACA

Do you like paddlesports?

     Interested in a great lifestyle job?

          Consider applying for a position at the ACA...

ACA Jobs

Founded in 1880, The American Canoe Association (ACA) is a national nonprofit organization serving the broader paddling public by providing education related to all aspects of paddling; stewardship support to help protect paddling environments; and sanctioning of programs and events to promote paddlesport competition and recreation.


The ACA believes it is our role to:

• Provide the general public with FUN paddlesport opportunities
• Make paddling education and instruction accessible
• Improve access to all paddling venues
• Expand paddlesport to people of all abilities and to the underserved
• Influence stewardship issues and public policy that effect paddlers and the paddling experience
• Promote paddlesports competition at the local, regional and national levels
• Create strategic alliances with clubs and other organizations that represent the outdoor experience in order to expand awareness and knowledge of paddlesport
• Communicate the benefits of canoeing, kayaking, rafting and stand up paddleboarding as healthy lifetime recreation activities

The heart of the ACA is the people who paddle, cherish and protect the rivers, lakes, streams, bays and oceans of the United States and beyond.

Operation Dry Water - this weekend

Marine law enforcement officers Nationwide

Gear up for 2012 Operation Dry Water

Boating fatalities at highest levels since 1998; BUI a leading factor

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June XX, 2012) – Recreational boating fatalities last year jumped to their highest levels since 1998 and boating under the influence (BUI) was the leading contributing factor, according to the U.S. Coast Guard’s report, 2011 Recreational Boating Statistics. The report comes just weeks before marine law enforcement officers nationwide turn out for Operation Dry Water (ODW), an annual campaign focused on enforcement of BUI laws and educating all boaters about the risks of operating a boat under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Operation Dry Water 2012 will be held June 22-24, just prior to the Fourth of July. Those caught operating a vessel under the influence will find their voyage terminated and their vessel impounded. Penalties may also include arrest, fines, loss of boating privileges, even loss of driving privileges in some states.

Despite the fact that it is against federal law and most state laws for a person with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher to operate a recreational vessel, BUI continues to be a major problem in the U.S. and accounts for a disproportional number of on the water deaths. Alcohol was a contributing factor in just 6 percent of boating accidents overall, but figured in 16 percent of boating fatalities.

Operation Dry Water, a multi-agency, education and enforcement initiative launched by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) in 2009 in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, puts thousands of local, state and federal marine law enforcement officers on the water just before the Fourth of July to give BUI enforcement high visibility before a holiday known for drinking and boating – and deadly accidents.


"We want boaters to know the risks of drinking and boating,” says John Fetterman, law enforcement director for NASBLA and national spokesperson for Operation Dry Water. “These are needless deaths in a recreational activity that is safe and enjoyable when people stay alert and follow the rules.”

Officers from all 56 U.S. states, trusts and territories are expected to participate in Operation Dry Water 2012, educating the public and being on the lookout for boat operators whose blood alcohol concentration exceeds the national limit of .08.

For more information on this annual event, visit http://operationdrywater.org.

Texas Paddling Survey

The ACA has partnered with Texas Tech University to learn more about paddlesports in the great state of Texas.

(This survey is both for residents and non-residents.)

We are writing to announce a research survey that will provide beneficial market information to you about paddlers on the beautiful lakes, rivers, and coastal areas of our state.


Beginning in the spring, Texas Tech University Department of Biological Sciences and the Llano River Field Station will begin a research survey designed to collect information for both resident and non-resident paddlers who enjoy the lakes, rivers, and coastal areas of Texas. The results of this research survey will offer a better understanding of the characteristics of paddlers, like you, and will determine the economic impacts that paddlers have on our great state. Our hope is that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Paddling Trails Program will use the results from this research survey to further promote ethical paddling, enhance paddling experiences, and increase awareness of paddle tourism throughout the state of Texas. Once the research is finished, you may request a personal copy of the completed report if you would like.


The research survey will take approximately fifteen minutes of your time. You can begin by clicking on this link:

Texas Paddling Survey

Be assured that participation in the research survey is completely voluntary, and you may skip questions you wish not to answer or close your browser at any time during the research survey.


The Project Manager, Zack Thomas and Dr. Tom Arsuffi, Research Advisor, and Director of the Llano River Field Station, will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the research survey. They can be reached at zachary.thomas@ttu.edu and tom.arsuffi@ttu.edu or by phone at 325-446-2301. Please share this information with fellow paddlers who may be interested; we would like to hear from as many people as possible.

Thank you for your assistance!

Sincerely,

Zack Thomas                      Dr. Tom Arsuffi

Project Manager                 Research Advisor

Graduate Student                Director, Llano River Field Station

Texas Tech University Center at Junction



SUP in Europe

New ACA SUP Instructors in Europe

The ACA would like to thank Pro School Natur Pur of Austria for hosting the second Level 2: Essentials of SUP Instructor Certification Workshop in Europe earlier this year.

ACA SUP Instructor Trainer Educator Josh Hall of CCPRC flew over to conduct the course.

Learn more about the ACA's role in Europe, including our 2012 Europe Paddlesports Conference in Belgium.

Alaska Update

ACA in the great state of Alaska

This spring, the ACA has been active working with our members and the general paddling public in Alaska.

A few snapshots:

Met with the following to discuss paddlesports education, outreach and access:

• Alaska Native Heritage Museum
• State Park Rangers in the Kenai District Chief Ranger of State Parks for the Denali and Mat-Su Valley
• Bureau of Land Management in Fairbanks
• Director of Alaska State Parks and Outdoor Recreation
• Marine Rangers of Kenai Fjords National Park.

Through grant funding, conducted a Level 2: Essentials of Kayaking ICW for:

• The Alaska Department of Boating Safety
• The Alaska State Parks
• The US Forest Service
• The Chugach School District
• Alaska Geographic

 

In addition,

• Level 4: Whitewater Canoe Instructor Trainer Eli Helbert will be once again teaching a series of ACA Canoe Courses throughout the month of June.
• The ACA has teamed with Kayak Adventures Worldwide to bring you a 2013 ACA Excursion to Alaska.  More details to come... 

ACA Vests & Free Stuff

Order one before the Fall

 

New item in the ACA eStore - Fleece Vest

We also have padded and unpadded cam straps, paddle green bags and ACA rack pads.

Did you know, there are even free items on the ACA eStore...surf on over and see if you can find'em!

Custom ACA Rack Pads for your SUP or Kayak

Show your ACA pride with 12' cam straps

Competition - Canoe Sailing!

Racing at ACA Camp Sebago

That's right, have you ever thought about combining the two?

This discipline has been around since the 1800's and the first  ACA canoe sailers started in 1880 and it has been going strong ever since.

Learn more about this unique canoe discipline as well as upcoming regional and national races:

ACA Canoe Sailing

The ACA Rig

ACA National Awards

A prestigious honor

Do you know of an individual, paddling club, or organization who has gone above and beyond?

Every year the ACA recognizes these people, clubs and organizations on a national stage.  Nominate your local hero today. 

Award Nomination Submission Deadline: Monday, July 30, 2012

ACA National Paddlesport Award Nomination Information

Flatwater Kayak Safety & Rescue Course

Learn the essentials from a certified ACA Instructor

Clarification for all ACA Kayak Instructors:

All Level 2 and higher Kayak Instructors are certified to teach the ACA Flatwater Kayak Safety & Rescue Skills Course.

We incorrectly published that Level 1 Kayak Instructors could teach this course in the June issue of the Journal of Paddlesport Education that was emailed out on Friday.  We apologize for any inconvenience this might have caused over the weekend.

 

Journal of Paddlesport Education - June 2012

The ACA is excited to announce the second edition of the updated Journal of Paddlesport Education. This re-invented publication is a collaborative effort from the SEI Department and ACA volunteers. This new format includes peer reviewed professional articles, this month on the kayak roll.  As well as articles, updates and other information from the Safety, Education and Instruction Department of the ACA National Office.

Check out the Journal of Paddlesport Education page on the ACA website to learn more!
www.americancanoe.org/JournalofPaddlesportEducation

Highlights in this issue:

• Teaching to Roll, or Rolling to Teach
• Tech Tips - Rescue for River Runners
• SEI Department Update- Call for Presenters
• SEI Department Spotlight - Flatwater Safety & Rescue
• Upcoming Outreach
• Featured eStore Items
• SEI Online Resources
• New Prodeal
• Important Dates

Read now Issuu / PDF

Call for Presenters

Share your expertise with the paddling community

The ACA is seeking proposals for both classroom and on-water presentations for both the upcoming National Paddlesports Conference and SUP Summit.

Both events will take place in Charleston, SC in November.

Deadline for all presentation submissions: Friday, July 20, 2012

Call for Presenters

Save the Date - an event not to be missed!

Celebrate the Rapp!

Saturday, June 9th
Riverfront Park, Fredericksburg, VA

• River Clean Ups
• Vendors
• SUP Instruction
• Races
• Bounce House for the Kids
• Music
• Food
• Reel Paddling Film Festival

Learn more...

Youghiogheny River Update

From the Mountain Watershed Association - Youghiogheny Riverkeeper

Rock Snot Discovered in the Yough



We've received the following notice from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection about the recent discovery of the aquatic invasive plant species Didymo (commonly known as "rock snot") in the Youghiogheny River. Please forward this along to others, and read on for precautions you can use to help curb the spread of Didymo to other area waterways. Thank you!

Didymo has now been confirmed in the Youghiogheny River in Ohiopyle State Park near Ohiopyle, PA. A single sample was taken in the Youghiogheny River in Ohiopyle State Park near some large boulders with tufts of Didymo growing at moderate length. The sample was taken by Erik L. Silldorff, PhD, an Aquatic Biologist. On Friday, June 1st, The Academy of Natural Sciences verified the identification of the sample submitted by Dr. Silldorff. Dr. Silldorff noted, “there was plenty of Didymo on the rocks so I had no trouble finding material to collect, and my sample was filled with nice, healthy, living Didymo. So, in terms of a risk of spread, I would say the Youghiogheny is now a potential launching pad, especially with the combined traffic of whitewater enthusiasts and trout anglers.” According to the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, Didymo, "can smother entire stream beds with mats as thick as eight inches and can ruin just about any river or creek." Additional information can be found here: http://www.fish.state.pa.us/water/habitat/ans/didymo/faq_didymo.htm


As you know, the Ohiopyle area is heavily used for recreation. All users of the river should take extra precaution to clean all equipment used in the Youghiogheny before entering other waterbodies. Didymo is a diatom that causes severe degradation of stream habitat in some places. It can be spread by moving just a small amount – maybe even just a cell or two. Take extra care in cleaning boats, gear, equipment before transporting to another waterbody! Gear can be disinfected by using a 10% household bleach and 90% water solution or a strong salt solution (minimally, use at least a true 5% salt solution). Allow either solution to remain in contact with equipment for at least 10 minutes! Either solution can be harsh on gear and equipment so be sure to rinse everything with plenty of water after disinfecting. Take extra care to properly disinfect porous materials such as nets, ropes, cloth items, water shoes, and especially felt-soled waders and wading shoes!


Please forward this alert to other Youghiogheny River users to the presence of this invasive species and to encourage extra care in cleaning gear so as not to spread Didymo. Thank you!

Paddle America Club Renewals

Hello ACA Paddle America Clubs (PACs),

Your annual PAC renewal is fast approaching and contracts are due back by June 30th.  You should have already received a packet in the mail descibing the 5 month and 17 month renewal options.

PAC Renewal Information

If you need additional assistance or information, please contact Candy, your friendly ACA Insurance Coordinator!

If your club isn't already a PAC, consider joining, please view the club benefits.

Swiftwater Recue Video - R3

The ACA is excited to annouce R3 or Rescue for River Runners.  Rescue for River Runners is a series of educational videos in swiftwater rescue.  This video series is the product of Five2Nine productions, the ACA and several other supporting partners.  The ACA is excited about this new resource!  Stay tuned for new episodes at www.americancanoe.org/R3 or the ACA YouTube Channel!